Mo-Kan: Keepin' in step for 30 years

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tim Snodgrass gives fellow square dancer Betsy Willman a spin during the Mo-Kan Square Dance Club's 30th anniversary dance on Friday.

By the time the dancing begins at a Mo-Kan Square Dance Club event in Nevada, the laughter can be heard well outside the doors of the home economics building at the Vernon County fairgrounds.

The room's filled with friends and neighbors, but most of them say it feels more like a family gathering. They've come for the friends, the food and for the square dancing.

Last Friday's dance marked the 30th anniversary of the Mo-Kan Square Dance Club, and members of the local club were joined by folks who'd come from far and near. It's not unusual, though, for dancers from other clubs to attend dances. In fact, it's encouraged, President Tom Harold said. There's a tradition that if a square (eight people) from one club visits another club, they get to take that club's banner home with them. "The only way they can get it back is to visit with a square of their own," he said, explaining that the practice encourages interaction between clubs. The largest square dance club in southwestern Missouri, Tom said the club has 68 members. Most of the charter members have died or moved away, but the club has nevertheless remained active over the years.

The club raises funds each year and uses the money to adopt five families for Christmas

For some it's a passion. For others it's something to do. Some are experimenting with a new pastime; others have been doing it for years.

The dancers and friends gathered ranged in age from 7 to -- well, who knows? Families dance and spend the evening together, and some have made it a tradition of many years.

Denise Jenkins and Bill Gillette show their appreciation of caller Jay Wright with their applause.

"You can do it with your family. It's good, clean fun. There's no drinking, smoking or swearing" allowed, said Tom's wife Grace.

Bob and Karen Ebert, Nevada, started square dancing many years ago with a Sheldon group. "We started when the kids were in car seats," Bob said. He confessed that it had taken a great deal of convincing on Karen's part to get him to take up the activity, but the couple grew to love square dancing so much they've even taken a square dance cruise. Their daughter, Erin, now 27, started square dancing herself in 2002, and has made a point of visiting many other clubs. "You could dance somewhere every single night," Bob said.

But to those at Friday night's event, the dancing was just a small part of what the club means to them. "You meet so many people. We take care of each other." They've supported one another through injuries, illnesses, the losses of family members and the aftermath of last year's tornado that struck the Joplin area.

Willman promenades with Brandon Snodgrass.

"And it's fun. It's good exercise. It's someplace you can bring your kids," Grace said. And some do. Some children were present Friday, and 9-year-old Brandon Snodgrass even joined a few sessions.

The Mo-Kan Squares perform at nursing homes and local events such as Bushwhacker Days. The group also offers weekly lessons that begin each September.

For more information, call the Harolds at (417) 465-2211.

Erin Ebert and Don Garber stay in step.

For more about the world of square dancing in the Midwest, watch for additional coverage in the next issue of AGELESS magazine, coming in March.

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